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On 19 September 2025, at Buffalo City TVET College, the Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC) and partners hosted a Career Day to show students why creating your own job is a real option and how to access funding, mentorship, and startup support.
Their Story
For many students, career fairs can feel overwhelming. On this day, guidance took a practical turn: match your skills to real demand, start small, and grow. ECDC Regional Manager for Amathole and Buffalo City, Rufus Nayo, urged students to see entrepreneurship as a credible first choice, not a fallback. He outlined how the ECDC backs bold ideas with finance, training, and enterprise development support designed to move young people from “good concept” to “open for business.”
The Event/Occasion
Hosted by Buffalo City TVET College, the Career Day brought together the ECDC, National Youth Development Agency (NYDA), Walter Sisulu University (WSU), and the Wholesale & Retail SETA. Each stakeholder showcased pathways, learnerships, bursaries, incubation, and market-linked training, so students could pick routes aligned to their strengths and interests.
“Look beyond formal employment,” Mr Nayo encouraged. “Self-employment and business creation are viable options, and we’re here to help you start.”
Community Reactions
Students left with contacts, application checklists, and a fresh sense of direction. Lecturers praised the focus on entrepreneurship as a driver of local jobs. Career officers said the mix of TVET practicality and ecosystem support is exactly what the Eastern Cape needs to turn talent into thriving township and town-centre businesses.
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